This “gem church” will be open each day for private prayer and meditation from 9.30am. until 3.30pm.

SUNDAY:
10.00am; 12.30pm (Polish Mass) and 6.00pm.

MONDAY:
12 noon Eucharistic Service

TUESDAY:
Mass at 10.00am because of the Deanery Conference.

WEDNESDAY:12 noon Eucharistic Service

THURSDAY:
12 noon Mass
(The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle)

FRIDAY:
12 noon Mass
(St. Polycarp, bishop & martyr)

SATURDAY
12 noon Mass

CONFESSION:
Saturday: 11.00 - 11.50am and 12.30 - 12.45pm.

BAPTISM:
By appointment

MARRIAGE:
6 months notice must be given (Diocesan requirement)

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ST. MARY’S SERVICES

SUNDAY:
11.30am Mass

MONDAY:
10.00am Mass

WEDNESDAY:
12 noon Mass

CONFESSION:
By appointment

BAPTISMS and MARRIAGES: as for St. Patrick’s

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READERS for Sunday 18th February

10.00am

D. Sarkodie & M. Fernandez

11.30am

C. O’Donnell

9.00pm

C. Dodd

Sunday 25th February

10.00am

J. Finch & A. Powell

11.30am

M. Howell

6.00pm

R. McGlade

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
AT 10.00AM MASS

Sunday 18th February

1

B. Auxtero

2

C. Riley

3

J. Finch

Sunday 25th February

1

P. Crosby

2

R. Estrellona

3

D. Daka

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA

Sunday 18th February

Week 3

Joyce & David Daka and friends (African)

Sunday 25th February

Week 4

Team Four

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR B) WEEK: FEBRUARY 18TH - FEBRUARY 24TH 2018

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and he remained there for forty days, and was tempted by Satan. Then he went into Galilee and said, “The time has come and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.”

The Charismatic Prayer Group meets every Friday for Praise and Worship in St. Patrick’s church from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Contact: 07970188673. Everybody is most welcome.

Walsingham Pilgrimage: Please see the leaflet enclosed with the newsletter. If you wish to join the pilgrimage please fill in the form as soon as possible so that transport can be arranged. The more that go - the cheaper the cost!

THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Peter Damian: born in 1007 in Ravenna (Italy), he became a hermit before taking part in a great reform of the Church. He became Bishop of Ostia and was venerated as a saint after his death.
The Chair of St. Peter: this feast has been kept since the 4th century and celebrates the unity of the Church gathered around Peter.
St. Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostles. He became Bishop of Smyrna but was arrested in Rome and burned to death for his faith.

“SMILE – A – WHILE”

A man left Chicago for a vacation in Key West. His wife was on a business trip and planned to fly down to meet him the next day. When the man arrived in Florida, he e-mailed his wife to let her know he had arrived, but mistyped her address. Instead, his message went to the inbox of a woman whose husband had just passed away. When the grieving widow opened her e-mail, she read the message, screamed, and passed out cold. The woman’s daughter rushed into the room and found this note on the computer screen. "My darling wife: Just checked in. Everything is prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to being with you again. Your loving husband. P.S. Sure is hot down here!"

What was the difference between Noah´s Ark and Joan of Arc?
-Noah´s Ark was made of wood and Joan of Arc was maid of Orleans.

“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TUESDAY: Lenten Station Mass at Ss. Aidan and Oswald’s church, Royton, at 7.30pm. The preacher is Fr. Francis OFM (Cap.).
THURSDAY: St. Patrick’s Parish Team meeting at 7.30pm in the Parish House.
FRIDAY: CAFOD Family Fast Day. Please use the envelopes at the back of church. Each donation will be doubled by the British Government so that £1 = £2.
NEXT SUNDAY: the baptism and christening of Archie Rogerson take place during the 10.00 Mass in St. Patrick’s church.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:

Lenten Station Mass at Holy Rosary church, Fitton Hill, at 7.30pm on Tuesday 27th February. The chief celebrant and preacher is Bishop John.

Lenten Station Mass at St. Joseph’s church, Mossley at 7.30pm on Tuesday 6th March. The preacher is Rev. Eamonn Mulcahy.

Lenten Station Mass at St. Michael’s church, Abbeyhills at 7.30pm on Tuesday 13th March. The preacher is Sister Joan.

Lenten Station Mass at St. Mary’s church, Failsworth, at 7.30pm on Tuesday 20th March. The preacher is Fr. Michael Kujacz.

Parish Reconciliation Service at St. Mary’s church, Oldham, at 3.00pm on Sunday 25th March (Palm Sunday).

Day of Prayer for Vocations: St. Mary’s – Wednesday 4th April.

Day of Prayer for Vocations: St. Patrick’s – Tuesday 12th July

FROM ST. PATRICK’S PARISH TEAM MEETING IN JANUARY

A Youth Group involving young people from all our communities is being developed and is a fine example of the ‘outreach’ Bishop John has in mind with Hope in the Future. Jackie Clements, who is involved with the youth group, sent several requests, and, it was agreed to allow meetings etc to be held in the parish house. Social gatherings in the Parish Centre would be allowed on the same basis as other parish groups i.e. only four bookings of the Centre per calendar year after key holders have been chosen and trained in their duties. It was also agreed that the ‘youth Sunday’, when young people are responsible for fulfilling the different ministries, together with the 3-11 group, would move to the 3rd Sunday. This would also enable the Indian children to be involved in the offertory procession which some are not able to do because of singing in the Indian choir.

As a sign of Involvement in Hope in the Future it was agreed by the team that the different groups in the parish should be invited to bring forward, at the Offertory of the Mass on the First Sunday of Lent, a symbol of their community. Fr Phil also agreed to ask the congregation next Sunday, to check on a list at the back of the church, in order to ascertain if or not their country of origin is on the list. This list of countries will then be used to prepare a Map of the World showing all the countries of the world represented at St. Patrick’s.

LED lighting: Concerns were raised concerning side effects that may occur when operating our new lighting system on less than 100% capacity. It was agreed to inform John Green, our Estates Manager, for him to investigate.

A parishioner has pointed out that the floor tiles in church under the Filipino stained glass window are in poor condition and suggested that they be replaced. However, the team has already agreed a moratorium on capital spending until the end of the financial year, any decision regarding this will be considered at a later date.